When it comes to horror, the ‘90s was an epic decade for fans of all ages, including kids. Kids of the decade were inundated with scary stories in books like R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps and Alvin Schwartz’s In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories, as well as unforgettable titles on the big and small screen such as It, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and Hocus Pocus. Two decades after the ‘90s wrapped, Hollywood ripped ‘90s kids’ biggest nightmares straight from the pages for a 2019 horror movie that terrified several generations of audiences, and it’s finally streaming again – if you’re brave enough to watch.
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André Øvredal’s 2019 adaptation of the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark book series began streaming on Peacock on September 1st. The movie centers around a group of teens who stumble upon a collection of scary stories inside a local haunted house. After taking the book home, the teens find themselves living through the terrifying tales. The movie, produced by Guillermo del Toro, was a box office and critical success, grossing $105 million globally and earning a “Certified Fresh: distinction on Rotten Tomatoes with a 78% critics’ score.
Why You Should Watch Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark was based on Alvin Schwartz’s iconic collection of short horror stories for children, illustrated by Stephen Gammell, that terrified an entire generation of kids. The movie manages to successfully bring Schwartz’s chilling stories to the screen in an interconnected story that captures the essence of the original books, including the tension, darkness, and primal fear they instilled in kids. It also honors Gammell’s iconic artwork through impressive special effects and practical makeup, with characters like the Jangly Man, Harold the Scarecrow, and the Pale Lady ripped straight from the pages in terrifyingly realistic designs.
Where Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark really excels, though, is in its appeal to a wide audience. Those who grew up with Schwartz’s books will find the movie to be an extremely nostalgic and entertaining experience, while new viewers will find it just as entertaining. The movie is also a perfect example of gateway horror, with its balance of scary monsters and effective scares, which relies on jump scares and unsettling imagery rather than extreme gore, with an engaging and relatable story making it a perfect introduction to the horror genre for younger viewers and one that the entire family can enjoy.
New Halloween Season Additions on Peacock
Peacock is certainly the go-to destination for scary movie marathons this Halloween season. In addition to Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, another family-friendly gateway horror title now streaming on Peacock is Goosebumps (2015). That movie joined the platform’s streaming lineup on September 1st alongside other chilling films like The Birds, The Haunting in Connecticut, and The Sixth Sense, as well as titles from the Amityville Horror, Child’s Play, and Halloween franchises.
October will bring even more spooky additions to the NBCUniversal streaming platform. The first three Scream movies, Poltergeist, Don’t Breathe, The Ring, and more are all set to start streaming on Peacock next month.
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